Eyes of Asia

Linking up with a travel blogger who chose the theme ‘eyes‘ for this week I am sharing pictures from China.

I love to watch people.  I love to take pictures of people.  Our stay in Jiading – a ‘suburb’ of Shanghai – offered me ample opportunities to sit and soak up the local atmosphere.

The plaza just on the other side of the canal from our hotel was a perfect spot to sit.  During the day the children ran and jumped and played and roller skated.  They loved that I was taking pictures and would come right up to me and pose.  Their eyes shone with curiosity about the blonde-haired, fair-skinned lady with the camera.

jiading dancing

When the work day ended the adults would gather, the music would start and an impromptu dance would begin.  They danced and they laughed and they left the stress of the day behind.  It was absolutely delightful and the happiness in their eyes was contagious.

jiading baby

Several times I was approached by those who wondered who I was, where I came from and why I looked so different.  They were not shy about asking gesturing for me to take pictures with or of them. Like this mom – you can see the excitement in her eyes.  She was so eager to have her baby ‘meet’ me that she took out her Iphone and asked gestured for me to pose with her little girl.  I reciprocated and asked gestured for her to pose, too.  I think the baby was just confused – that’s what I see in her eyes.

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This man was taking a break from his street sweeping as I made my way back to the hotel.  His eyes look a little tired – maybe because his day had been long and he wasn’t quite finished yet.

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These guys.  My three boys.  Walking across the plaza they did not see me.  I had to yell out a couple of times before they figured out who was making a racket.  Their eyes were covered but, I promise you, they are the most beautiful shades of brown, green and hazel.

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And, finally, these beautiful eyes.  They belong to my new grandson.   Babies are wonderful.  Just wonderful.

 

 

 

 

 

Getting a License

Oh happy day!  He finally got his drivers license!!

Delays, busy schedules and lack of motivation made this whole process much longer than it should have been. But, finally, our 17.5 year old teenager got all his ducks in a row and we got it done.

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Armed with a book and lots of patience we pulled into the parking lot of the DMV just eight minutes after it opened.  And, there were already a bunch of people in line waiting.  Hence, the book and the patience.

One little snafu delayed things a bit but within 2.5 hours we had everything complete and were walking out with a newly licensed driver.

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Seventeen and a license – freedom and independence are right behind the wheel and to say he is excited would be a bit of an understatement.

I am excited for him, too.  Kinda sort of.

Having a license is definitely going to make life easier for his dad and me.  However, he’s young and inexperienced and traffic is brutal and drivers are a little crazy and, in all seriousness, I’m both elated and worried.

In other words – He’s a normal teenager and I’m a normal mom.

And if you need me I’ll be in the corner….praying.

Psalm 46:1  God is our refuge and our strength, an ever-present help in distress.

 

Winter in Texas

With a high today – today being February 10 –  of a 88 degrees it was definitely a day to get out and enjoy the sunshine.

These pictures were taken in November and I’m always aware that, although we get cold snaps, we also get to enjoy many days that are weather-perfected.  No matter what time of year it is, the sinking sun and  shadows never bother the grandkids, especially when grandpa gets the ultra-fun toys out and plays with them.